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Enhancing SMEs’ Digital Innovation Capabilities: Experimental Evidence from a User Experience Design Challenge

Author

Listed:
  • Davide Azzolini
  • Nicola Doppio
  • Luca Mion
  • Iunio Quarto Russo
  • Alessio Tomelleri

Abstract

Innovating product design is crucial for firms operating in the digital sector as it is closely linked with innovation capability and, therefore, with firm performance and productivity. In this paper, we run a randomized controlled trial to assess if participating in an open innovation initiative increases SMEs’ capability to design more competitive digital products. More specifically, the intervention aimed at increasing firms’ knowledge of the Design Sprint and their readiness to implement user-centered design techniques. 190 SMEs based in 7 different European countries took part in the field trial in spring 2021. We find that the intervention increased participants’ knowledge about user-centered design methods, although no statistically significant effects are found on participants’ intention to adopt that in their firms. This may be traced back to organizational and financial constraints typically related to the small-sized firms involved.

Suggested Citation

  • Davide Azzolini & Nicola Doppio & Luca Mion & Iunio Quarto Russo & Alessio Tomelleri, 2024. "Enhancing SMEs’ Digital Innovation Capabilities: Experimental Evidence from a User Experience Design Challenge," FBK-IRVAPP Working Papers 2024-01, Research Institute for the Evaluation of Public Policies (IRVAPP), Bruno Kessler Foundation.
    • Handle: RePEc:fbk:wpaper:2024-01
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Muhammad Usman & Nadine Roijakkers & Wim Vanhaverbeke & Federico Frattini, 2018. "A Systematic Review of the Literature on Open Innovation in SMEs," World Scientific Book Chapters, in: Wim Vanhaverbeke & Federico Frattini & Nadine Roijakkers & Muhammad Usman (ed.), RESEARCHING OPEN INNOVATION IN SMEs, chapter 1, pages 3-35, World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd..
    2. Barbara Bigliardi & Francesco Galati, 2018. "An Open Innovation Model for SMEs," World Scientific Book Chapters, in: Wim Vanhaverbeke & Federico Frattini & Nadine Roijakkers & Muhammad Usman (ed.), RESEARCHING OPEN INNOVATION IN SMEs, chapter 3, pages 71-113, World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd..
    3. David J. Teece, 2007. "Explicating dynamic capabilities: the nature and microfoundations of (sustainable) enterprise performance," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(13), pages 1319-1350, December.
    4. André Spithoven & Wim Vanhaverbeke & Nadine Roijakkers, 2013. "Open innovation practices in SMEs and large enterprises," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 41(3), pages 537-562, October.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Open Innovation; SMEs; Randomized Controlled Trial; User Experience Design; Design Sprint;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D22 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Firm Behavior: Empirical Analysis
    • M31 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Marketing and Advertising - - - Marketing
    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives

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